She stressed that a "very large majority" of the parent company's 462 million customers, 108,000 employees and 15,000 suppliers are based abroad, suggesting that there is no reason for Vodafone’s HQ to remain on these shores.

Most of Vodafone group’s revenue is generated on the continent, with just one tenth coming from the UK.

Britain faces a drawn-out period of trade negotiations as it seeks to remain in the single market, a goal openly mocked by some senior politicians in Brussels.

She added that pan-European businesses rely on freedom of movement of people, capital and goods but said Vodafone would "continue to invest in our UK local operating company in future".